Biloxi council authorizes mayor to advertise possible property-tax (millage) increase; public hearing to follow

Biloxi city officials voted to authorize Mayor Robert Fager to publish notice for a possible increase in the city nd property-tax millage as the council continues work on the fiscal 2025'6 municipal budget. The council approved a motion to allow the mayor to advertise a proposed millage increase and set a special meeting for 11 a.m. the next day to determine the specific amount and next steps. Why it matters: The council and administration said rising personnel and operating costs have stretched the general fund, and a modest millage increase was presented as one option to narrow the shortfall while other budget adjustments are considered. During a long discussion about the non-departmental budget, Mayor Robert Fager and council members described the millage option as one tool among several for stabilizing long-term city finances. The administration estimated that one mill of property tax for the city generates roughly $793,000 in annual revenue based on current assessments; council discussion used that figure to illustrate scale when considering increases of several mills. The mayor and finance staff said the city must balance maintaining service levels —specially public safety and infrastructure gainst the political and financial impacts of higher property taxes. Councilman Tisdale moved to authorize the mayor to advertise for a possible millage increase, with a second from Councilman Creel. After a roll call of ayes, the motion carried. The council scheduled a special meeting for 11 a.m. the following day to set the advertised amount and to provide additional legal and revenue figures required for formal notice and a subsequent public hearing. The council emphasized process: publication of the proposed millage and a public hearing are required steps; any final millage rate would come back to the council for adoption as part of the overall budget ordinance. Several council members asked administration staff to produce the legal constraints (including statutory limits on increases tied to prior levies and any local exemptions) and an updated revenue projection before the special meeting. Looking ahead: If the council eventually adopts a millage increase, Mississippi law and municipal practice require public notice and a public hearing before final adoption. The administration said it will return with precise revenue estimates, a statement of how many mills would be required to reach targeted revenue levels, and the legal analysis required for proper publication.